Article carrier



E. L. ARNESON ARTICLE CARRIER Sept. 11, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 23, 1956 i INVETOR.

Ida/mi fi'rzafiaiz,

BY M M W E. L. ARNESON 3,053,432

ARTICLE CARRIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. [diva/2L flr/zafiazz, BY

Sept. 11, 1962 Filed July 23 1966 United States 3,053,432 ARTICLE CARRIER Edwin L. Arneson, Morris, IlL, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Federal Paper Board Company, Inc, Bogota, NJ., a corporation of New York Filed July 23, 1956, Ser. No. 599,397 2 Claims. (Cl. 229-52) rough handling to which the box is subjected. Efforts have been made to form such boxes with reinforced portions and various types of handle assemblies to provide the box with suitable carrying means. But it has been found difficult to provide a relatively inexpensive blank from which the box can be formed that exhibits all of the desired properties.

Various types of handle assemblies have been proposed but in many instances the addition to the blank of such assemblies has been found to be costly. It has also been found difficult to design an assembly which affords desirable space-saving characteristics from a storage and stacking standpoint as well as from the standpoint of ease of rapid assembly for use.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an article carrier of sturdy construction containing both a reinforced body and a handle assembly, which exhibits space-saving storage features in an unassembled condition and whose components can be readily brought into operative position upon the assembly thereof.

An additional object is to provide an improved handle assembly which can be attached to a conventional garment box and which in its attached position exhibits desirable space-saving features.

A further object is to provide an article carrier having an internally mounted handle assembly which lies flatly against the inner surface of the carrier blank when unassembled and in condition for storage and is capable of readily being positioned outside the carrier in an operative position when the carrier is assembled.

1 carrier of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the carrier blank of FIG. 1, with the side and bottom panels thereof folded down flatly prior to being erected;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the central portion of the carrier blank shown in FIG. 2 with the handle folded over and partially inserted through the slot in the 7 top panel thereof;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of that shown in FIG. 3 taken along line 4-4;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section of the handle and 7 associated parts taken along line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of an assem- I tet ice bled carrier having associated therewith another form of handle assembly incorporating the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the blank of the carrier of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the handle assembly of the carrier of FIG. 6 during the folding of the same into its operative position and being taken generally along line 8-8 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary section taken generally along line 99 of FIG. 6.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the article carrier 10 shown therein is of paperboard construction and is provided with a top panel 11, two face panels 12 and 13, four side panels 14, 15, 16 and 17 and two bottom panels 18 and 19. With particular reference to the face panel 12 shown in FIG. 2, side panels 14 and 15 are attached to opposite sides thereof while bottom panel 18 is attached to the lower edge of panel 12 and extends between the end panels 14 and 15. The panels 14, 15 and 18 are folded inwardly against the inner surface of the face panel 12 and each of the side panels 14 and 15 is suitably connected to the bottom panel 18 in a conventional manner to provide three sides for the panel 12 when such sides are moved into substantially right angular positions relative thereto.

The side panels 16 and 17 and the bottom panel 19 are similarly attached to the other face panel 13 and lie flatly against the panel 13 when in a disassembled condition. The relation of panels 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 to their face panels 12 and 13 is of conventional design and does not form a part of the present invention. It merely illustrates a preferred form of carrier construction capable of use with the hereinafter described new handle assembly.

The bottom panel 18 contains two ear-shaped slits 22, while the bottom panel 19 contains two fastening flaps 23, which flaps have ear-like latching portions capable of being received in and hooked with the slits 22 upon the closing of the erected carrier. The face panel 13 can be folded with respect to the top panel 11 along a score line 25 which is spaced slightly beyond the ends of the side panels 16 and 17. Other scores 26 and 27 extend across the ends of the side panels 14 and 15, respectively, to provide for the formation of corners upon assembly of the carrier in the conventional manner. Another score line 28 extends the full width of the face panel 12 under side panels 14 and 15 thereby allowing the face panel 12 to be folded with respect to the top panel 11. When the side panels 14 and 15 and the bottom panel 18 are raised into vertical position with respect to the face panel 12 and the latter is folded along the score 28, one half of the body portion of the carrier 10 is in an operative position to receive the other half, which other half is formed by the vertical positioning of side panels 16 and 17 and bottom panel 19. Upon the folding of the face panel 13 along its score 25 toward the face panel 12, the side panels 16 and 17 and the bottom panel 19 will be received telescopically by the side panels 14 and 15 and the bottom panel 18. The fastening flaps 23 may be moved outwardly from the bottom panel 19 so as to extend over the outer surface of the bottom panel 18 and the ear-like portions thereof may be inserted in the slits 22, thereby locking the carrier in assembled position.

Referring now to the handle -assembly--which is the subject matter of the present invention and is also of paperboard -constructionan elongated reinforcing panel 30 is glued or otherwise suitably fixed to the inner surface of the top panel 11 and extends substantially the full height and width thereof. The panel 30 contains "a longitudinal slot 31 which extends along the central portion thereof and registers with a similar longitudinal slot 32 in the top panel 11 of the carrier (see FIG. 1). Integrally attached to one of the long side edges of the reinforcing panel 30 is a base panel or handle anchor panel 33. A Score line 34 extends along the junction between the edges of the reinforcing panel 30 and the base panel 33 to allow the base panel 33 to be folded inwardly against the reinforcing panel 30. To the other edge of the base panel 33 is integrally connected a handle 37 having two laterally spaced side portions 38 and 39. Score lines 41 and 42 extend along the junctions between the handle side portions 38 and 39 and the base panel 33 to allow the handle 37 to be folded with respect to the base panel 33. A flaplike projection 43 on the base panel 33 extends outwardly beyond the scores 41 and 42 part way into the interior of the handle 37 between the handle portions 38 and 39. A handle flap 45 is integrally attached to the inner margin of the handle 37 and is adapted to be folded with relation thereto along a score line 46. The handle flap 45 is arranged to be folded in a direction away from the projection 43 on the base panel 33. The handle side portions 38 and 39 are provided on their outer side margins with projections 47, the functions of which will hereinafter be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the 'handle assembly is arranged to lie flatly against the inner surface of the face panel 12 and, as a result, the carrier blank can be readily stored in a substantially flat condition. Such an arrangement, of course, affords space-saving convenience in stacking and storing a number of the blanks. The assembly or erection of the face panels, the side panels and the bottom panels has previously been described. However, with respect to the assembly of the handle 37 into operative position, particular reference is made to FIGS. 3 and 4.

Prior to the folding of the face panels 12 and 13 with their respective side and bottom panels, the base panel 33 of handle assembly is folded about the score line 34 and the handle 37 is inserted through the slots 31 and 32. FIGS. 3 and 4 show a point in this operation intermediate the initial and final handle erection steps, wherein the handle 37 is partially inserted through the slots 31 and 32.

As can be seen in these figures, base panel 33 is folded about its score line 34 toward the exposed inner surface of the reinforcing panel 30. During this folding operation, the handle 37 and the handle side portions 38 and 39 are folded about the score lines 41 and 42 in a clockwise direction with respect thereto, and the top portion of the handle 37 is inserted through the slots 31 and 32. Movement of the base panel 33 toward the exposed inner surface of the reinforcing panel 30 is continued and ultimately completed when the handle 37 has reached a position wherein it extends vertically through the slots 31 and .32, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. The flap-like projection 43 on the base panel 33 at the same time moves into flatwise association with the inner surface of the reinforcing panel 30, where it operates to block off the slots 31 and 32 once the handle 37 has been placed in operative position.

As can best be seen in FIG. 2 the outer edges of the projections 47 on the outer side margins of the handle portions 38 and 39 extend sufliciently in opposite directions to require a forcing of the handle through the slot 31. These projections engage frictionally with ends 31' of the slot 31 and resist any tendency of the handle 37 to return to its original position within the interior of the carrier. Thus the projections 47 provide enough of a .force fit to maintain the handle 37 properly positioned outside the carrier. The handle flap 45 can be folded outwardly and upwardly about the score 46 into a position substantially flush with the top portion of the handle 37, as shown in FIG. 5, thus providing a central Opening in the handle 37 to allow proper grasping of the handle in the carrying of the assembled box.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing, the handle assembly described incorporates unique features of design.

When such an assembly is used in a box of the type disclosed, it serves to provide a reinforcement against crushing of the box at the location of the top panel. By providing the base panel 33 of the handle assembly with the projection 43, the slot 32 in the box is completely sealed off when the handle 37 is in operative position. The flat design of the handle assembly provides space-saving for storage purposes. It can also be seen that the handle assembly is of sturdy one-piece construction and will withstand substantial abuse during use of the carrier. The projections 47 associated with the handle side portions 38 and 39 function effectively with the slot ends 31 to maintain the handle 37 in its erected position outside of the box. The construction described is highly serviceable and the box, including the handle assembly, can be assembled and disassembled innumerable times without the components thereof losing their ability to properly function. While preferably constructed of paperboard, the handle asembly, as well as the box, might of course be constructed of any other suitable material.

Referring to FIGS. 69, a modified form of handle assembly incorporating the principles of the present invention is illustrated mounted in its operative position in a garment box type of carrier identical in construction to that previously described. As the handle assembly constitutes the sole modified structure of FIGS. 69, the structural elements of the carrier will not be redescribed and like reference numerals are used to designate corresponding elements previously described.

The modified handle assembl is shown in its unfolded condition in FIG. 7 and this assembly includes a reinforcing panel 50 which is suitably attached to the inner surface of the top panel 11 of the carrier 10 and extends substantially the full width thereof while being of sufficient length to reinforce a substantial portion of the top panel 11 longitudinally thereof. The reinforcing panel 50 is provided with a centrally located, longitudinally extending slot 51 which is aligned with the slot 32 of the top panel 11 as shown in FIG. 6. To each of the side marginal edges of the reinforcing panel 50 is attached a base panel 52 by score lines 53 which allow the base panels 52 to be folded upwardly, toward one another and downwardly into contact with the reinforcing panel 50 as will subsequently be described.

To each of the outer side margins of the base panel 52 is attached a U-shaped handle member 54 of the same design as the handle member 37 previously described. Score lines 55 provided at the points of integral attachment of the free ends of the leg portions of the handle members 54 allow these members to be folded relative to their associated base panels 52 to bring about erection of the handle assembly. A handle flap 56 is integrally attached to the inner margin of each of the handles 54 and is adapted to be folded relative to its associated handle along a score line 57. The handle legs or side portions are each provided on their outer side margins with projections 58 which function in the same manner as described in connection with the projections 47 in FIGS. 1-5.

As shown in FIG. 7, the modified handle assembly is arranged to lie flatly against the inner surface of the face panels 12 and 13 and, as a result, the carrier blank may be readily stored in a substantially flat condition. The assembly or erection of the carrier blank exclusive of the modified handle assembly carried thereby has been previously described. In describing the manner in which the modified handle assembly is erected in its operative position, reference is now made to FIGS. 8 and 9.

Prior to the folding of the face panels 12 and 13 with their respective side and bottom panels, the base panels 52 of the handle assembly are folded about the score lines 53 and the handles 54 are inserted through the slots 51 and 32. FIG. 8 illustrates an intermediate phase of the folding operation described and it will be noted that r the handles 54 are brought into substantially face abutting relation upon being passed inwardly through the slots 51 and 32. The folding action of the elements of the handle assembly about the score lines 53 and 55 continue until the handles 54 are fully received through the slots 51 and 32 and are positioned outwardly of the top panel 11. Subsequent folding of the carrier blank into its erected condition results in the positioning of the handles 54 outwardly of the top surface of the carrier as illustrated in FIG. 9. The projections 58 frictionally engage the ends 59 of the slot 51 and resist any tendency of the handles 54 to return to their original position within the interior of the carrier. The handle flaps 56 are folded outwardly and upwardly about the score lines 57 into a position substantially flush with the top portion of their respective handles 54 thus providing a central opening in the handles 54 to allow proper grasping of the same in the carrying of the assembled box.

As will be particularly noted in FIG. 9, each of the base panels 52 is of a width substantially equal to onehalf the width of the reinforcing panel 50. Consequently, the free side margins which carry the handle members 54 are brought into substantially abutting relation when the handle assembly is in its erected condition and the marginal side portions of the base panels 52 cooperate with one another to substantially close off the slot 51. In this manner the interior of the erected carrier is protected against the ingress of foreign material which may cause damage to the articles carried thereby.

The modified handle assembly described is of uncomplicated design thereby allowing the same to be readily and inexpensively fabricated. The symmetrical positioning of the separate handle members 54 and their associated base panels 52 provide a handle assembly of substantial strength which is particularly adapted for use with article carriers of either a large size or which normally are filled with relatively heavy articles.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Serial No. 495,398, filed March 21, 1955, now abandoned.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made Without departing from the spirit thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an article carrier having a single top panel, two face panels, and side and bottom panels on each of the face panels, the side and bottom panels on one of the face panels being adapted to telescopically receive the corresponding panels on the other face panel to form the carrier, a separately formed reinforcing panel which is attached in fixed face-to-face engagement to the inner surface of the top panel and serves to stiffen the same, said reinforcing panel having a slot therein extending longitudinally thereof, said top panel of the carrier also having a slot therein in registration with the slot in the reinforcing panel, and a carrier handle assembly integrally attached along a longitudinal edge of said reinforcing panel and positioned to lie flat against the inner surface of one of said face panels fully contained within the margins thereof prior to the erection of said carrier, said carrier handle assembly comprising a base panel and a handle portion, which base panel is positioned intermediate said reinforcing panel and said handle portion and is attached along one edge thereof as defined by a score line to said reinforcing panel and along laterally spaced portions of the other edge thereof as defined by score lines to said handle portion, said base panel including a projection which extends beyond one edge thereof and is adapted to block off a substantial portion of the slot in said reinforcing panel when said handle portion is inserted through the slots, said carrier handle assembly being foldable along its score lines with said handle portion being insertable through the slots in said reinforcing panel and said top panel to project outwardly of the carrier through said top panel upon erection of the carrier.

2. In an initially flat paperboard box formed from a one-piece blank, said box being characterized by two face panels, by an intermediate relatively narrow connecting panel which upon erection of said box forms the top thereof, and by side and bottom panels on each of said face panels, which side and bottom panels on one of said face panels are adapted to telescopically receive the corresponding side and bottom panels of the other of said face panels in the erected condition of said box with the two face panels hinging about the aforesaid intermediate connecting panel during opening and closing of said box, the provision of a separately formed reinforcing panel which is attached in fixed face-to-face engagement to the inner surface of said connecting panel throughout a substantial area thereof and serves to stiffen the same, said reinforcing panel having a slot therein extending longitudinally thereof, said connecting panel having a slot therein in registration with the slot in said reinforcing panel, and a handle assembly integrally and foldably attached along a longitudinal edge of said reinforcing panel and extending to one side of said connecting panel in flat parallel protected relation to the inner surface of one of said face panels, said handle assembly being fully contained Within the margins of said one face panel in the flat condition of said box and being foldable along the line of its attachment to said reinforcing panel as defined by a first score line and further being foldable upon itself along a second score line forming a part thereof to be insertable through the slots in said reinforcing panel and said connecting panel to project outwardly of said box through said connecting panel upon erection of said box, said handle assembly comprising a base panel and a handle portion, which base panel is positioned intermediate said reinforcing panel and said handle portion and is attached along one edge thereof to said reinforcing panel and along laterally spaced portions of the other edge thereof as defined by said second score line to said handle portion, said base panel including a projection which ex tends beyond one edge thereof and is adapted to block off a substantial portion of the slot in said reinforcing panel when said handle portion is inserted through the slots.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,829,533 Ondricek Oct. 27, 1931 1,877,601 Shapiro Sept. 13, 1932 2,134,627 Turner Oct. 25, 1938 2,138,336 Bronstein Nov. 29, 1938 2,162,235 Vaughn June 13, 1939 2,387,329 Jacobs Oct. 23, 194-5 2,400,759 Katz May 21, 1946 2,605,041 Welshenbach July 29, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 407,566 Great Britain Mar. 22, 1934 568,256 Great Britain Mar. 26, 1945 

